The Shanghai Major is officially here! Today, Valve released a major update centered around the tournament in China, though there’s more to it than just that. Settle in as CS.MONEY Blog takes you through all the important changes: case rent, new stickers, viewer pass, pick-ems and more!
Don’t forget—you can earn free skins! Head to the Battle Pass page, complete tasks, play CS2, and collect amazing items!
Shanghai Major Stickers
As with any Valve tournament, the Shanghai Major brings team and player stickers to the game. Following the precedent set at the Copenhagen Major, team stickers feature a clean design without backgrounds, with a small tournament logo in an Eastern-inspired style at the bottom. Player autograph stickers include the team logo as their background. The stickers are available in four qualities: Paper, Glitter, Holo, and Gold.
Check out the full collection of Shanghai Major stickers in our dedicated article:
Rent CS2 Skins From All Cases (Almost)
A significant update is the ability to rent skins from all key-unlockable cases. Previously, this feature was limited to skins from cases introduced in CS2. Apparently, Valve liked the data they gathered and decided to extend the feature to older cases.
Can You Rent Dragon Lore?
Unfortunately, no, you can’t rent Dlore in CS2. The feature only applies to skins from cases opened with keys, so you won’t get a chance to cheaply use an AWP Gungnir or AK-47 Wild Lotus. However, there are still expensive skins available for rent, such as the M4A1-S Printstream. Keep in mind, though, that cases like Operation Broken Fang are already pricey and limited, so renting such skins will cost not only $2.50 for the key but also a premium for the case itself.
Who Might Benefit from Skin Rentals?
There are two main scenarios where this feature might work:
- Occasional Players: If you play CS2 in bursts — binging for a week and then stepping away for months — renting might make sense.
- Dream Skins: If there’s a too expensive skin you’ve always wanted to try, rentals give you the chance to hold it, even if only temporarily.
For most players, though, skin rentals remain a situational option that might not suit their needs.
Over time, it’s likely that cases no longer actively dropping will become even scarcer. Enthusiasts may increasingly rent skins from these cases, which could lead to their eventual depletion.
Shanghai Major Viewer Pass
Valve has once again introduced the Viewer Pass for those hunting souvenir skins and Diamond Coins for their profile. Like previous times, the base version currently costs $10, while the version with three souvenir coins is $18. Nothing really changed here, the rules, the challenges and the format are all the same.
Our Pick-ems for Shanghai Major Opening Stage
The first stage of the tournament promises intense action. Keep in mind the unwritten rules for predictions:
For 3-0, pick either a team you’re 100% confident in or an unpredictable that could either shine or crash out. Our picks: The MongolZ and Cloud9.
- The MongolZ have a favorable first match and are performing well overall.
- Cloud9 are a wild card, capable of surprising both positively and negatively.
For 0-3, consider Rare Atom and Imperial.
- Rare Atom may have a home-field advantage but is arguably the weakest team in the tournament.
- Imperial struggles against teams from their region, which might hurt their chances.
Among our picks to move forward to the Elimination stage, we highlight:
- Virtus.pro
- Complexity
- Team Liquid
- FURIA
- BIG (after their strong RMR performance)
- Pain Gaming (an exciting Brazilian team capable of surprises)
With a lineup of thrilling matches and unforgettable moments, the Shanghai Major promises to deliver an epic spectacle. The action begins this Saturday — long live the Shanghai Major!
